The Way Out Podcast

I’m super stoked to bring you this bonus mini episode with Buddy C who shares with us his new project – Sober Meditations. Inspired by his work with his own sponsees and centered on the 12-Steps, Spirituality and the healing and transformative power of the practice of mediation, Sober Meditations is available through an app on both Google Play and the Apple App Store as well as online via any current web browser. I’ve been on my own meditative journey for exactly 120 days and mediation is now very much a core spiritual and recovery practice. If you’re looking to start your own foray into mediation, I highly recommend you look to Sober Meditations. Buddy shares his own insight and experience with meditation, walks us through installing and navigating the app, and gives some helpful advice for meditation beginners and pros alike so Listen Up. Get Your Sober Meditations! On the Web: https://sobermeditations.libsyn.com/ Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sobermeditationsapp.android.sober&a

We’ve got a brilliantly informative and enlightening rendition of the show for you all about excuses, recovery, and how to turn these counterproductive defense mechanisms into positive change in progress. Rooted in fear and purpose built to prevent meaningful and rewarding transformation, excuses are quite complicit in the perpetuation of active addiction and alcoholism as well as lack of progress or regression in Recovery and spirituality. Excuses, justification, and rationalization are intrinsically tied together and born out of fear. Perhaps it’s fear of change, or failure, or of losing something we desperately believe we need to survive, such as our substance of choice. Alas, we don’t have to live in a world of excuses, justifications and rationalizations that keep us stuck, sick, and perhaps back in our disease. What we must do, is feel the fear and do the next right thing anyway. Because on the other side of fear wayoutcasters – is freedom. We’ll demystify the how and why of excuse making and share how

I wanted to take a brief moment, off the top to acknowledge and address what’s happening in my hometown in this moment. Born in Minneapolis, raised in the Twin Cities, and a life-long Minnesotan, I am, nay we all are still very much grappling with the heinous and horrendous tragedy that is the killing of George Floyd this past Monday, May 25th. I’m at once experiencing feelings of deep sadness and incredible helplessness after watching the now infamous footage of this horrific event and left desperately searching for a way to help make this right as I watch the city in which was born be burned to the ground and the very fabric of our community be torn apart. Many of you are now experiencing much the same in your own communities this very moment. Only through sobriety and recovery can I turn to the only answer that makes any real sense at all. I must turn to love, compassion, and put them into action. To that end our family will be donating food and supplies to my beloved South Minneapolis this very afternoon.

This week co-host extraordinaire Jason’s got a killer interview with Heidi Davis, a woman in long term recovery from alcoholism and addiction and very passionate about what brought her to and keeps her in long term recovery. I happened to read one of her social media posts that read like an intro to a recovery memoir and immediately said to your favorite recovery co-host “get her on the show”. I can’t tell you exactly why I was immediately compelled to get Heidi on to share her story, but I’ve learned after a few 24 hours in recovery to trust my instincts when they speak to me, and this time my instincts were demanding for Heidi to share her experience, strength, and hope. I do not claim to be a Christian, nor do I believe that Christianity, or any other religion is the only way to recover or the only path to freedom from Addiction and Alcoholism. What I do sincerely and whole heatedly believe however, is that it is indeed, if you will indulge me a play on words A Bonafede Way Out of addiction and/or alcoholi

In this edition of The Way Out we turn our collective attention to a the very human need of connection and as we’ll discover, it has particular importance to those of us in Recovery from substances or other addictive behaviors. Recent and mounting evidence suggests one of the factors in determining whether or not an individual will develop an addiction is their ability or inability to establish and maintain healthy, meaningful connections to others, to the world around them, and to something greater than themselves. In a very real way, the opposite of addiction is not sobriety, it is indeed connection. Abstinence, however is a prerequisite for those of us who are addicts, alcoholics, or both for the artificially induced dopamine high courtesy of something decidedly non-human blocks our ability to connect in a meaningful, authentic way to the very people we so desperately want to connect with, whether we are aware of it or able to admit it or not. It’s no coincidence then, many of us who are in the midst of, o

This edition of The Way Out is all about change. At the center of the recovery journey is a transformational change that occurs within us that allows us to shed old, negative and self-defeating thoughts, beliefs, ideas, and most importantly behaviors and begin to replace them with those that are healthy, positive and aligned with who we yearn to be. A truth my dear, late member of my home 12-Step group was fond of goes “If you don’t change, your sobriety date will”. If we are to recover, instead of merely abstain, we must change. In the beginning we may change because we’re sick and tired of being sick and tired, or because the pain of staying the same become greater than the fear of change; or because if we don’t – we’ll die. Even in the most dire of circumstances; change is hard. It’s Messy – and it feels wrong. It’s supposed to feel foreign, like you’re wearing somebody else’s clothes or living someone else’s life – which in a way is true you’re living in the new you and it’s going to take a good while bef

This week we’ve got an absolutely delightful interview with the Author of the new book “The March to Madness”, Nelson Dacier. Nelson, now six years sober, shares his story; which was the inspiration for his book, with equal measures of humor, wisdom, and authenticity. We dig into his recovery journey, what it finally took to enter meaningful and long-term recovery, and his process in writing the tale of the debaucherous double life he led during active addiction, the unbelievable events that lead him to the literal brink of death, and what recovery looked like in the aftermath of the tumultuous saga that was his life prior to getting sober round about six years ago. This one’s got it all folks, so Listen Up. Reach out to Nelson: https://nelsondacier.com/ Book Recommendation: Drop the Rock https://www.hazeldenbettyford.org/articles/fred-h/drop-the-rock-meaning --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-way-out-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-way-out-podcast/support

This week Jason’s got an absolutely terrific interview with transformational and Imago Relationship Therapist, Love Coach, and Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Rachel Levy. Rachel shares with us about her journey, her practice, and her creation; the 12 steps of Healthy Love. We learn about the 4 pillars of her recovery program that is designed to be accessible to all. Rachel shares her truth with us as well as an abundance of spiritual, emotional, and transformational wisdom, which is all centered in love. Get ready way out casters – Rachel is a total powerhouse - a modern-day sage who’s got insight and spiritual truth to spare and we’re about to dive headfirst into the deep well of a Bonafede love guru – so listen up. Rachel's song recommendations- Everything is Allanis Morissette's song defining what the Shadow is according to Debbie Ford’s definition:  our shadow is all of the qualities within us both Our Light and Our Dark.  Embracing our Shadow, every part of it, was inspired through Ford's sh

This week we’ve got an interview that will push the limits on your conventional understanding of what it means when we hear the 12-Step vernacular around practicing the principles of recovery in all our affairs. Entrepreneur, writer, and public speaker Michael Brody-Waite contends far too many of us in recovery are likely, and unwittingly compartmentalizing the tremendous power, embodied in the 12-Steps, exclusively to our addictions all the while shielding the other parts of our lives that could be similarly transformed – if we only applied the very same principles of Recovery to other parts of our lives – namely our work lives. Michael and I discuss specifically what elements of Recovery can transform your work life and how to apply them and his new book – “Great Leaders Live Like Drug Addicts: How living like a drug addict will transform the way you lead yourself and others” all the while sprinkling in his recovery journey and the spiritual wisdom embodied within his 17 plus years of continuous Sobriety so

This week we’re addressing a topic that very likely affects many of us as we enter into recovery, and especially the longer we sustain our recovery. But before I introduce this week’s topic; I’d like to humbly invite anyone who’d like to hear my recovery story to join a weekly online Zoom speaker meeting at 8pm Central Time this Saturday the 18th of April. A dear friend of mine, Buddy C. asked if I would share my recovery story – and I was told under no uncertain terms very early in Recovery that when asked to be of service; we are obliged to do so given we have the ability. Check the show notes for the details on how to attend and I hope to see you all there! Now, back to this week’s topic. We’re talking about experiencing Survivor’s Guilt after someone close to us relapses or tragically dies as a result or consequence of their addiction and/or alcoholism. Greif is a complex, difficult, and often messy process that can be complicated by the emotions associated with Survivor’s Guilt. We may be plagued by ques

This week Jason’s got an interview that all you ladies out there will especially relate to with Ashlee Herget. Don’t tune out just yet though gents; I related to Ashlee’s story in a way I didn’t expect and though I know I shouldn’t be surprised by now; the universal struggles that unite our collective experience as people in, or contemplating recovery show up early and often in Ashlee’s story. Just shy of 3 years clean and sober, Ashlee brings her story to us in a disarmingly frank and vulnerable retelling of her journey to recovery rife with fits of inadequacy; shame, family turmoil and knock down drag out bouts of addiction and alcoholism – all from the female perspective. So to all you ladies out there bringn’ your sober on the daily, this one’s for you and for every single one of us there’s a whole lot recovery wisdom and insight about to be heard regardless of what gender you happen to identify with so Listen Up. Book recommendations: Jesus Calling- by Sarah Young https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/jesus

We’re bringing you a special episode dedicated to helping you work your program of recovery and survive – nay – thrive in this unprecedented time of Pandemic Covid-19 sane and sober. For many of us we’re dealing with new fears we likely hadn’t even dreamt of just a couple of months ago, and major life changes are being thrust upon us in the form of our daily routines, work lives and home situations. Two mega triggers for recovering addicts and alcoholics – Fear and Change are flaring up for many of us big time right now. We may be feeling off kilter; and reeling from all of these sudden but necessary adjustments and we’re here to help. Working toward being spiritually, mentally and emotionally centered as well as physically healthy is the name of the game and we’ve got just what the Doctor ordered for you as we demystify why so many of us are feeling the way we are right now and give you sound, tried and true spiritually practical actions you can take, one day at a time, to get through the Coronavirus Winter

This week we’ve got an absolutely righteous interview with Singer, songwriter, producer, writer, and all-around dynamo Lisa Daggs. Along with her many and varied artistic talents, Lisa is a person in very long-term recovery, with over 30 years of continuous sobriety. Lisa’s journey to and through Recovery as told through her Book No Turning Back – Regardless is especially relatable and oozing with universal spiritual truth. We talk about the book, her path through addiction and alcoholism while trying to make it in the cut throat, take no prisoners, chew you up and spit you out music industry and what it took to Recover and live life on life’s terms as a sober Christian woman. So lend us your ears won’t you while Lisa spins yarns about days gone by and what life is like now living Sober, Joyous, and Free while we mix in a few handpicked originals by none other than Lisa Daggs. No doubt about it way out casters, you’re in for a special treat – so Listen Up. Original Tracks by Lisa Daggs Featured on this Episod

This week Jason brings us the straight up compelling story of Kristin Massman. Kristin’s recovery story will grab you by throat and not let go until right up to the end. Kristin, an unabashed bi-sexual woman, now over 3 years sober, shares her at times heart wrenching and other times super relatable history in a truly authentic and vulnerable way. You will be captivated by the way her journey has led her from the proverbial gutter to self-discovery, self-acceptance, and her powerful ability to advocate for the development of a more inclusive culture in recovery and the community at large. One where everyone is welcomed, loved and accepted as they are. For all of us who know what it’s like to feel shame around who we truly are, and for all of us who have genuinely known the fear living our authentic selves, who know what it feels like to feel like an imposter in your own life, indeed for all of us who know all too well what it’s like to wrestle with addiction and alcoholism, this story is for you so Listen Up.

This week we’ll hear co-host extraordinaire Jason interview our good friend Peter S, who candidly shares his Recovery story. Peter’s called in to the show a time or three and brings unbridled honesty and spiritual truth every time. Ultimately his is a story of love, loss and redemption, Peter’s remarkably poignant story is rife with pain and anguish as a once promising career in the Wine industry complete with six figures, a beautiful fiancé and all the trappings was ultimately swallowed up by alcoholism and addiction, leaving him literally jobless, penniless, homeless, and alone. We all know better than to think that’s where Peter’s story ends, don’t we? Fact is, in more than a few ways it is truly where his Recovery story begins. I’m telling you all, this story is candid, raw, and seriously compelling and the wisdom and spiritual truth embodied herein is truly palpable, so Listen Up. Book: Varieties of Religious Experiences-William James https://www.gutenberg.org/files/621/621-pdf.pdf Recovery Resources: O

This week we’ve got an outrageously entertaining and wide ranging interview with none other than Neil the Alcoholic. We full on embraced the tangential nature of my guest, in full realization that any attempt to confine him would only serve to douse his innate ability to tell one hell of a story, of which this episode is chalked full. Neil’s been sober a whole long time, and he’s a walking encyclopedia of historical knowledge of maybe everything ever. We travel near and far geographically and otherwise in what is without question one of the most unique and personally amusing interviews I have done to date, and you won’t want to miss a second so Listen Up. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-way-out-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-way-out-podcast/support

This week Jason’s got an incredibly relatable, entertaining and enlightening interview with our good friend, Boston Mike. Mike’s been sober since 2012 and is a tremendous advocate 12 Step Recovery – and for good reason – it’s given him more than he could have imagined. Mike spent some time here in the Twin Cities Recovery community; and we became fast friends as kindred spirits are apt to do. We had him in studio over a year ago and due to an unfortunate technical snafu that interview never left the 4 walls of the Way Out Podcast studios. Mike shares his recovery journey with us, how he’s helping others, and what life is like as a working actor and musician in the greater Boston area. This interview is no mere redo, my friends, no it’s a bonafide original much like our Friend, Boston Mike so Listen Up. -Contact info if anyone wants to reach out to Mike michaelstephenswanson@gmail.com -Book Recommendations: The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous Men's guide to recovery Little Red Book -Best piece of advice: Get

This week I’m grateful and humbled to bring you the remarkable and unique Recovery story of Alan S. I was immediately drawn to Alan as he works both the 12-Steps and the program of SMART Recovery, which complement each other quite nicely. Alan’s story is a case in point in why we continue to bring you personal stories of recovery from alcoholism and addiction. This journey to and through alcoholism isn’t one marked by early childhood trauma, adverse childhood experiences, or early abuse of drugs and alcohol. Alan was the quintessential nerd way before it became a cool nerd culture thing right through college, earning high marks and staying far away from any kind of trouble. But as you’ll soon learn, there’s many paths to alcoholism and addiction, and more than one Way Out so Listen Up. Links related to Alan’s Story: https://www.facebook.com/livingthedream99/posts/10218215348837768 https://youtu.be/IIibDRfxVPE https://youtu.be/4QEH2h_D85M https://youtu.be/up4jEoBnrgQ https://youtu.be/i3kaIJC_-TY --- Send i

This week we’ve got interview for the ages with Darren Littlejohn, the author of the 12-Step Buddhist. Darren takes us on an often wild, sometimes humorous, and incredibly enlightening ride as he waxes poetic on 12-Step Recovery, the value of integrating Buddhist practices into our recoveries, all the while sprinkling in his 20+ years of experience, strength, and hope earned along the way of his Recovery journey. Darren conjures up absolute magic when we gave him the opportunity to stream his spiritual consciousness with us. We found spiritual truth galore and a whole heck of a lot more as we explored the miraculous mind of the 12-Step Buddhist so Listen Up. ACE Score Test: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/03/02/387007941/take-the-ace-quiz-and-learn-what-it-does-and-doesnt-mean Spiritual Practice Recommendations: 5 Minutes of Meditation in AM Write down experiences around it for 30 Days Put your hand on your heart and: Look at the other person and say "me too" because we all suffer Tell yourself

This week we’ve got a special episode as a part of our commitment to exploring and illuminating alternative pathways to sobriety and Recovery. Dennis Rosenfeld is the facilitator in chief of SMART Recovery’s online meeting program, and he joins us to help introduce us to SMART Recovery, often referenced as one of the most popular alternatives to the 12-Step Method that is so near and dear to my heart. We explore what SMART Recovery is, and perhaps more importantly, what SMART Recovery isn’t. We’ll also explore some of the tools of this program, tackle common questions folks new to this program might have, as well as how to begin working SMART Recovery and how to attend meetings. We cover a lot of ground with Dennis, and yet only just scratched the surface so be sure to check the show notes for a slew of links to help you get SMART. No doubt the best part of all is how throughout the interview Dennis shares how he was reborn SMART & Sober, so Listen Up. SMART Links: https://www.smartrecovery.org/ Meeting F